novelapdf Chapter 24 Going down the mountain
Chapter 24 Going down the mountain
A new bonfire was lit in the cave, and an iron pot was placed on a simple stone stove. Steam rose from the pot, and the bean porridge was half-cooked.
No wonder Li Che and his companion couldn't find the cave earlier.
The cave is located on a steep cliff on the south peak, about two zhang away from the mountaintop. You have to peek out to see the narrow platform outside the cave. I don't know how the old man found this place.
The cave is about seven or eight zhang in size, with stone benches, stone tables, stone beds, and some utensils for daily life.
Li Che glanced at the stone bed, where a lot of dry grass was visible under the thin cotton mattress, and then winked at Yue Lingshan.
The latter understood and hurriedly took out the bedding from the basket and said respectfully, "Uncle-Master Feng, Mother made you some new bedding. Shan'er will put it on for you."
There are two more sets of new clothes. Mother said she didn't sew them very well, and hopes you won't mind.
Before coming, Li Che had instructed him to talk less about his master and more about his mistress.
Sure enough, although Old Man Feng did not respond, his expression softened considerably. He vaguely recalled the lively and spirited Ning girl from thirty years ago, and the image of her gradually overlapped with that of the little girl in front of him.
It's only natural for older people to cherish the past.
Seeing this, Li Che couldn't help but feel gratified.
Bringing Yue Lingshan along today, and spending more time together, might make her less resistant to Lao Yue.
The old man had been lonely for decades. With his disciples and grand-disciples by his side, his mind might be somewhat at ease. This would also provide an extra layer of protection for the Huashan Sect, preventing Old Yue from being driven astray by some kind of shock.
It's not about exploitation, but a win-win situation.
"What are you grinning about, you brat! Get up the cliff and see if your swordsmanship has improved!"
"Grandmaster Uncle, your grand-disciple is still cooking porridge."
"Shan'er, keep an eye on things." Turning to Li Che, she snapped, "What are you dawdling for? Hurry up!"
Li Che: "..."
Going up the mountain is easy, but coming down is hard; Li Che understood this deeply at this moment.
Yue Lingshan skipped and hopped ahead, while he still carried the carrying pole on his shoulder. Although the bamboo basket was empty, he walked unsteadily.
"hiss--!"
Li Che grimaced as he rubbed his upper arm and then pressed his thigh, secretly vowing, "Old man Feng, you just wait! Once I've mastered martial arts, I'll definitely cut off your silver beard."
"By the way, Senior Brother Li, has Grandmaster Uncle passed on the Dugu Nine Swords to you yet?"
"I've sent it," Li Che said irritably.
"Grandmaster Uncle also said he would teach me swordsmanship. Do you think I should learn it? Father wants me to practice my internal energy cultivation diligently, but Grandmaster Uncle Feng is so powerful. Do you think Father will agree to let me learn swordsmanship from him?"
"If you're bad at cooking, just practice more!"
"You! I'll bite you to death!"
......
There are things one should not do.
"Che'er, how is Uncle Feng's health? Is he willing to see me?"
Seeing Yue Buqun's tense expression and solemn tone, Li Che replied, "Grandmaster Uncle is fine. Although he scolded me for rashly leading people there, he was very gentle with Junior Sister."
Master, this matter cannot be rushed.
Upon hearing this, Yue Buqun's expression relaxed, and he let out a long sigh, laughing, "Good, good, good, Che'er is right. Shan'er, from now on you should often go up the mountain to visit your Grand Uncle, talk to him more, and relieve his boredom."
Be more attentive; if Uncle Feng is lacking in anything, inform our parents promptly. As the younger generation, we should fulfill our filial duties.
"Yes, Father."
"Yes, the Dugu Nine Swords...?"
"Grandmaster Uncle has already taught me the swordsmanship. Although it's called swordsmanship, it actually emphasizes the intent of the sword. The general principles state..."
Before he could finish speaking, Yue Buqun spoke up first: "No! Without Uncle Feng's permission, the sword technique must never be revealed to anyone else, not even Master or Mistress."
Che'er will remember this matter well!
"Yes, Master!" Li Che then said, "Master, I have recently been practicing my skills and I feel that I have hit a bottleneck and it is difficult to make further progress."
My master once said, "It is better to go out and practice what you preach than to work behind closed doors." Therefore, I wish to descend the mountain to broaden my horizons and verify my martial arts skills. I humbly request permission from my master and mistress.
Yue and Ning had different expressions; the latter nodded with satisfaction, while the former seemed more worried.
Among the disciples of the Huashan Sect who frequently travel outside, only the eldest brother Linghu Chong and the traitor Lao Denuo are present. Naturally, there will be a third brother, Liang Fa, in the future.
Laudenau was purely doing his job.
Linghu Chong, however, spent most of his time traveling the martial world and making friends with heroes, just like Yue Fei did back then.
Now that Li Che's martial arts skills have surpassed Linghu Chong's, Old Yue is confident that he knows Li Che's temperament well and will not develop a drinking problem like "Big Brother".
The only problem is that this disciple is too young and has no experience in the martial world. If he is tricked by villains and gets into danger, wouldn't it be too late to regret it?
He had a good plan, intending to personally take his disciple down the mountain in a while to meet old friends and relatives and see the dangers of the martial world. Little did he know that his disciple was even more eager than he was.
Ning Zhongze saw through his thoughts at a glance, and after a moment's thought, she said, "Senior brother, you said yesterday that you were going to write a letter to Master Huo in Chang'an City. I think we should let Che'er go to Qianjin Manor in your stead."
"Ah? Right, right! Junior sister reminded me, this method is good." Turning to Li Che, she said, "Che'er, Master Huo of Qianjin Manor is a good friend of mine, and he is a remarkable figure in Guanzhong."
Wait one more day, pack your bags, and I will allow you to descend the mountain.
but!"
Yue Buqun's expression hardened, and he stared intently at Li Che, saying solemnly, "Remember that the martial world is treacherous, and people's hearts are unpredictable. Be careful when you encounter people and things. Martial arts can protect you, but they may not protect your life!"
Furthermore, our Huashan Sect are righteous people; you must never associate with evil spirits, or I, your master, will not forgive you!
"Yes, disciple will follow Master and Mistress's teachings!"
Yue Lingshan stood to one side, anxiously waiting. After a long while, she finally found an opening and hurriedly said, "Father, Mother, I also want to go down the mountain with Senior Brother Li to travel the world."
"Nonsense! With your skill level, if you encounter a powerful evil master, Che'er will have to spare some attention to protect you. Just stay on the mountain and practice your skills!"
Old Yue transformed into a strict father, making his daughter lower her head, rubbing her fingers in grievance, on the verge of tears.
Ning Zhongze glared at her senior brother, then leaned closer to her daughter, raised her hand to rub her head, and whispered, "Your father is probably in danger outside. Besides, if you go down the mountain, who will talk to your Uncle Feng?"
Che'er will be traveling down the mountain for a period of time, sometimes as long as half a year or a year, sometimes as short as two or three months. You should focus on practicing your skills on the mountain. Your parents will definitely allow you to go with them next time.
"Yes, junior sister, don't worry, when your senior brother comes back, I'll definitely bring you some fun things, okay?"
Yue Lingshan glared at him angrily, "Hmph! Who needs your advice? Go away, go away! Who wants to see you?!"
......
The next morning, Li Che, dressed in a blue robe, wearing boots, with a long sword in hand and carrying a bag, descended Mount Hua.
My luggage is a bit heavy.
Inside, he had prepared only two changes of clothes, a lot of pastries, a few bottles of medicine, and even some loose silver that Yue Lingshan had saved up.
Several fellow disciples inquired after him with concern. Ying Bailuo, being the most honest, risked being punished by picking pine cones for him for half a day.
They say you can't get this anywhere else.
Li Che patted his bag, a warm feeling gradually rising in his heart. He realized that, without realizing it, Mount Hua had replaced his "home" in his previous life, and he could no longer bear to part with it.
He turned his head and saw a corner of clothing peeking out from behind a tree a dozen feet away. Li Che just smiled and waved before quickly running down the mountain.
A moment later, half a head peeked out from behind the tree, and only walked up the mountain with a slightly disappointed look after Li Che disappeared from sight.
......